NIGERIAN DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (NDM). UK For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 15th September 2022 PRESS STATEMENT A PRO-DEMOCRACY RALLYING CRY FOR THE 2023 ELECTIONS

 

 A group of pro-democracy reformers and former members of the NADECO FORUM abroad that worked for the revalidation of the annulled June 12, 1993, elections in Nigeria have come together to lend their voices to the cry for a free and fair elections in 2023.

 Representatives of June 12 Movement, Nigerian Democratic Movement (NDM), Democratic League, National Conscience Party, Oduduwa Movement UK, Nigerian Project (UK) and others travelled from Nigeria and different parts of the world met recently in London and agreed to come under the same platform to positively participate in the deepening of true democracy in Nigeria in 2023.

The group bemoaned the current state of political discourse and the high level of intolerance on display on social media by supporters of Presidential candidates and warned that this could lead to crisis during the next elections.

 They also reviewed the current state of insecurity, unemployment, the seemingly never-ending level of partisan hostility and threats to supporters of rival presidential candidates that has poisoned Nigerian polity, which they consider to be of serious concern.

 The group agreed:

1.     To coalesce under a single platform: The Nigerian Democratic Movement (NDM). The Nigerian Democratic Movement was one of the several pro-democracy organisations in the Diaspora that fought the military annulment of the June 12, 1993, elections in Nigeria. It was the largest organisation in the UK that hosted most of the meetings of NADECO abroad and worked with others which eventually led to the enthronement of the present political dispensation after the death of General Abacha and Chief MKO Abiola.

2.     To protect the rights of every Nigerian to free expression and choice (as long as it does not encroach on other people’s rights: e.g., incitement, defamation, threats etc).

3.     To mobilise locally and internationally for a Presidential candidate chosen and supported by the group and to defend the rights of other Nigerians to choose their own candidates without harassment or intimidation.

 The meeting reviewed the experience and chances of each of the Presidential candidates and resolved to put their collective weight and support behind Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shetima ticket. Apart from being former pro-democracy colleague in the fight for Nigerian democracy, the group considered Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s knowledge, pedigree and experience as very

crucial to take Nigeria to the next level.

 The group agreed to mobilise other former pro-democracy reformers, eminent statesmen and very experienced Nigerian political scientists around the world to come up with programmes that will bring Nigeria out of the woods behind Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

 These plans and programmes will be presented to the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhadji Shetima, presidential team of APC at the appropriate time.

 The following officers were appointed at the Meeting:

a.     The Convenor: National Coordinator: Otunba Bimbo Roberts Folayan (June       12 Movement)

b.     Chairman: Dr John Olumuyiwa Filani (NDM)

c.      General Secretary: Barrister Babajide Aminu (NDM)

d.     Director, Media & Publicity: Dupe Ashama (National Conscience Party & Oduduwa Movement UK)

e. Director of Mobilisation (North): Alh Shehu Tifin (Nigerian Project)

Authorized For Release by the Media & Publicity Office

Director, Media & Publicity

Dupe Ashama

 

Convener-National Coordinator: Otunba Bimbo Roberts Folayan (June 12 Movement). Chairman: Dr. John Olumuyiwa Filani (NDM). General Secretary: Barrister Babajide Aminu (NDM). Director Media & Publicity: Dupe Ashama (National Conscience). Director of Mobilization (North): Alh Shehu Tifin (Nigerian Project).

Publisher: Don Martyn L.O 

Ikeduru APC Media Hub

08032950897

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